Posts tagged Major League Baseball

Spring Baseball & Scorpions

English: A frontal view of the Bark Scorpion of Arizona. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Spring is in the air here in Arizona, and that can only mean one thing… MLB Spring Training! Every year, 15 Major League Baseball teams ascend on the Valley of the Sun for six weeks of preseason baseball. Teams like the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Indians all square off in the Cactus League; preparing for the upcoming season. Teams frequently use players' spring training performances as a way of assigning starting roles and roster spots. While spring training attracts a huge number of fans and spectators who eagerly wait to see the promising new talent, all while enjoying the warm weather, which also happens to coincide with the beginning of the scorpion season here in Arizona. Nobody knows that better than Milwaukee Brewers GM, Doug Melvin, who was recently stung by a very venomous Arizona Bark Scorpion… The most dangerous scorpion found in the U.S.

Brewers GM Stung By Scorpion

The Milwaukee Brewers MLB club has descended on Maryvale Baseball Park, in Phoenix, AZ for their annual spring training. While in town, Doug Melvin, the General Manager of the Brewers, was stung by a scorpion. It all went down last Wednesday, March 5, 2013. Melvin and his wife had just enjoyed a night out in the Valley. Upon returning to their Phoenix-area condo after dinner, Melvin’s wife spotted a “bug” on the floor. After eyeing the bug, she shouted to her husband to take care of it. In an attempt to be the hero and save the day, the Brewers GM grabbed a tissue and picked up the bug—which happened to be a scorpion. The scorpion retaliated by stinging Melvin’s left middle finger through the tissue. Ouch! After the sting, Melvin’s arm began to tingle—kind of like hitting your funny bone. His left arm began to feel numb. The sensation moved from his arm to his shoulder. About this time, he began to worry that the venom might be spreading and eventually reach his heart. He headed to a Scottsdale emergency room where he was treated for the sting. After three hours in the ER, some pain medication, and some scorpion education, the Brewers GM made a full recovery. The next time he encounters a scorpion, he’ll likely just squash it with his shoe.

Symptoms Of A Bark Scorpion Sting

In Arizona alone, the Arizona Bark Scorpion is responsible for several thousand stings each year. With that being said, fatalities in the United States are rare, and generally limited to small/young children and adults with weakened immune systems. The symptoms of a Bark Scorpion sting include pain, tingling sensations, blurry vision, throat swelling, darting eyes, and tense muscles. Those experiencing an allergic reaction will have difficulty breathing and walking, and should seek medical attention.

The Arizona Bark Scorpion

The Arizona Bark scorpion is a golden tan in color, and can reach lengths of about two inches. They are frequently found in the southwest United States; predominately in the Sonoran Desert. Less toxic species of Bark scorpions have been discovered throughout areas in Southern Utah, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas. Bark scorpions prefer to hunt at night by ambushing their prey. They commonly dine on crickets and cockroaches.

As Doug Melvin can attest, being stung by a scorpion is not a pleasant experience. Whether you live in Arizona, Texas, or Southern Utah; you don’t have to live in fear of these malevolent pests. Bulwark Exterminating is an expert when it comes to Scorpion Control, having treated some 25,000 scorpion infested homes. Bulwark’s signature treatment, administered by highly experienced technicians, will create a barrier around your home that will keep those stinging scorpions away. Call us to find out about our nocturnal treatments and our highly specialized scorpion truck.